The history of the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront dates back to 1860 when Prince Alfred, Queen Victoria’s second son, tipped the first load of rocks into the bay for construction of Cape Town’s original breakwater. The original Alfred Basin could not cope with the increased volume of shipping brought by the advent of the steam engine, and subsequently a larger basin, the Victoria Basin, was built. The Waterfront derives its name from the two harbour basins. The Victoria & Alfred Waterfront Company was formed in November 1988, with a mandate to develop the historic harbour in combination with tourism and commerce while overseeing the continuing operation of the working harbour. Today, with its countless shops and ideal location, the Waterfront has become one of the main attractions of the city.